Though it has been used for centuries, its fame really began in the 1960s. Dr. Theodore Meyer learned about the use of pau d’arco (pronounced powdy arco) by natives of the tropical rain forest of the Amazon. They had used the inner bark of this hardwood tree as a medicine. Dr. Meyer followed their lead and claimed he successfully cured five advanced cases of leukemia with it.
Now called pau d’arco (pow-DAR-co), which is Portuguese for “bow stick,” the term refers to various trees of the Tabebuia family that grow in the mountains of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru.
In the 1950s, Brazilian researchers confirmed that this ancient medicine is indeed anti-bacterial. Among more recent investigations:
A study at the University of Rio de Janeiro discovered that pau d’arco helps treat Staphylococcus aureus infections that resist antibiotics. Research at Seoul National University suggests that the herb is active against human intestinal bacteria, which cause food poisoning.
Most of the chemical research on pau d’arco has been done on the wood and not the inner bark. Pau d’arco contains chemical compounds called naphthoquinones such as lapachol that may have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, as well as significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin.
Pau d’arco is available in health food stores in capsules, tinctures, and as dried bark. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules or one to two droppers of tincture taken one to four times per day, depending on the condition and patient.
Most pau d’arco products are not standardized, so it is not possible to determine whether or not they contain an appropriate amount of these active substances. It is important to carefully read the label to make sure that the product actually contains Tabebuia avellanedae as an ingredient.
Dosage In tablets or capsules, 1 to 4 grams per day in divided doses–or 1 to 2 teaspoons of tincture three times a day. Consuming 1.5 grams per day or more may cause dizziness and GI upset, so consult your herbalist. Avoid pau d’arco if you’re taking anticoagulants or having surgery, or if you are pregnant or nursing.
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